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Why Being Single Is More Expensive Than Being In A Relationship

So, you think being single is more tipid? If you must know, the single Gen X/Millennial life involves a lot of splurges for stuff such as emotional eating and self-care pampering, and these can lead to ballooning expenses. And what better time to look at the financial challenges of being single than today, as we celebrate 11/11, best known as Singles’ Day.

Overspending = Overcompensating

As far as emotions go, there will be times when singles feel like they need to channel their feelings into something more… tangible. And, when you have no one to stop you from overspending or at least keep you company during these trying times, you tend to give in to the urge to try and fill voids with stuff.

Retail Therapy

Guilty or not guilty? People in relationships tend to be more careful of their spending because they have this voice of reason they truly listen to and acknowledge. And of course, they have less of a void to fill, being in a relationship and all.

Friday nights alone just listening to Radiohead or bingeing on Netflix may seem quite money savvy, but not the accompanying huge bag of Doritos or that pint of Ben & Jerry’s you’re planning to dive into solo. Emotional eating or stress eating is without a doubt, ways to compensate and fill that “void” when you’re single and your BFFs are unavailable for a vent and comfort session.

Pampering

Granted everyone deserves some pampering from time to time, but singles tend to splurge more on this. I’m talking about those ridiculously expensive lathery bath bombs and the confidence-boosting mani-pedis and blowouts. Singles tend to take the time – and spend the money – for complete spa service packages more than people in a relationship.

All Expenses Paid

… by you, and you alone.

Rent

If you have no one else to split rent with, your lifestyle is costlier than the “takens”. Sure, you could have a roommate, but how big of an issue and how hard will it be to be forgiving if a mere roommate failed to pay the rent on time? Yeah. And. . . will they cuddle with you? Think about it.

Groceries

You’d tend to just buy whatever you want and go out of budget since you don’t have anyone to attend to. That is, if you do buy groceries and not rely on take-outs and last-minute toiletry buys for most of the time.

There is actually a term called “the single supplement” that was coined by the travel industry to mean charges added to hotel rooms when travelers take up a room all by themselves. Also, think about all the guide or transportation costs you’ll have to shoulder alone.

Being in a relationship means getting “couple discounts” from hotel rooms, car rentals, and other special deals, the fees of which can, of course, be split in two.

Adulting

Ah, what better way to deal with nihilism and an existential crisis than getting used to adulting alone. Lucky for lovebirds, they get tax deductions by getting married and having kids.

This is the difference between the take-home of a single employee, and a married employee with one kid, both earning P50,000 monthly.

Single

Married with 1 Dependent

Basic Salary

50,000.00

50,000.00

Less:

Withholding Tax

11,392.09

10,725.21

SSS

581.30

581.30

Philhealth

437.50

437.50

Pagibig

100.00

100.00

Total Deduction

12,510.89

11.844.01

Net Income

37,489.11

38,155.99

Marriage and parenthood saves one exactly P666.88 a month, or a yearly total of P8,002.56, which can be invested in stock trading, or buy them a roundtrip promo ticket to South Korea.

The list of things you can save on by having someone to share bills with is long. There’s utility bills, internet, loan repayments, and Netflix among other things.

Married couples may also have an advantage when applying for a loan. They have a joint income to show lenders, for, say, a home loan or a car loan. Single persons might have a harder time proving that they can meet the income level requirements.

Fast Personal Loan approval

Generally speaking, those in a relationship tend to help each other out not only through paying bills but also by looking out for each other’s questionable life choices and motivating each other to change for the better. And when the other gets sick or loses a job, they have someone to rely on.

Ideally, by the time couples decide to have kids, they’re more prepared financially because they’ve learned from splitting expenses. This is why it’s important to find the right partner. They will be there with you for life and would be the first to support you in times of need.

If you’re single and read the entirety of this article, you’d probably think that the only time you’ll save money is during Valentine’s Day.

But you can be wiser and wealthier no matter which path in life you take. The only thing you should be worried about is settling for less.

So, go ahead and embrace high-maintenance, unattached, single life, because you’ve worked hard for it and truly deserve it. And if you must partake in the annual Singles’ Day Sales, go forth and be merry. All the other stuff will just have to wait.

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About the author

Kristel Serran Kristel is eCompareMo's go-to gal for all things banking, personal finance, and travel. From time to time, you'll see her showcasing her acting chops and hosting skills because she's talented like that.

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